In order to obtain a license in cosmetology, nail technology, esthetics or barbering in the state of Maine, students must complete the requirements listed below. Please contact the Maine State Board of Cosmetology for more information.

Requirements
Applicants must be at least 17 years of age, have satisfactorily completed the 10th grade in a secondary school or its equivalent, and have satisfactorily passed an examination in subjects the board considers necessary to determine the fitness of the applicant to practice.

COSMETOLOGIST: Has satisfactorily completed a course of instruction in cosmetology of 1,500 hours in not less than 9 months in a school licensed by the board or has experience in the practice of cosmetology as a trainee of 2,500 hours distributed over a period of at least 18 months.

BARBER: Has satisfactorily completed a course of instruction in barbering of 1,500 hours in not less than 9 months in a school licensed by the board or has experience in the practice of barbering as a trainee of 2,500 hours distributed over a period of at least 18 months.

ESTHETICIAN: Has satisfactorily completed a course of instruction in aesthetics of 600 hours in not less than 3 months in a school licensed by the board or has experience in the practice of aesthetics as a trainee of up to 1,000 hours distributed over a period of at least 6 months.

MANICURIST: Has satisfactorily completed a course of instruction in manicuring of 200 hours in not less than 5 weeks in a school licensed by the board or has experience in the practice of manicuring as a trainee of 400 hours distributed over a period of at least 10 weeks.

Reciprocity
The board shall waive the examination and grant a license to any applicant who presents proof of being authorized to practice by another state or other jurisdiction of the United States or another country that maintains professional standards considered by the board to be equivalent to or higher than those set. [1993, c. 287, §1 (amd).]

Contact Information
Office of Licensing and Registration
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
35 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
Telephone: (207) 624-8625
TTY/HEARING-IMPAIRED: (888) 577-6690
FAX: (207) 624-8637
E-mail: geraldine.l.betts@maine.gov